The comparisons made by Maurice Mizzi (The Sunday Times, July 24) regarding the killing of birds and cruelty to animals do not hold water.

First and foremost, birds are not animals, and age does not make one think there is any similarity.

In this connection, Mr Mizzi cannot, by any imagination, protest against the shooting of birds which is permissible and therefore legal, and cruelty to animals, which is illegal.

He, however, has every right to protest against the illegal hunting of birds, which I also oppose.

The recent conviction of two hunters caught shooting white storks is ample proof of the zero tolerance which should be shown to illegal hunting activity.

This is the best protest ever delivered by our courts to deter illegal hunting, but Mr Mizzi’s contention that hunting is to be banned is totally unacceptable and irrelevant.

He should not try to impose his views on others just because he disapproves of hunting.

Did it ever occur to him that crayfish, lobsters, snails, etc. are brought to the dinner table alive and then boiled for our consumption? Should we protest against the consumption of these species?

It is quite evident that hunting in general is Mr Mizzi’s target, whether this is legal or not.